DNP Courses

All students are required to complete specific coursework. This list below should only be used as a curriculum guide. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change. View course descriptions below.

Example Plans of Study

DNP Required Courses

NRS 700

PROGRAM ORIENTATION

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This course provides the doctoral program orientation for Nebraska Methodist College. Emphasis will be placed on program delivery modalities, resource utilization, and scholarly writing. Students must complete this course on campus.

Credits: 0.0

Prerequisites:

Admission to DNP program.

NRS 706

SUMMER INTENSIVE

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This course serves to verify foundational course proficiency in relation to advanced health assessment skills and incorporation of pharmacotherapeutic and pathophysiological principles. Simulation and case studies will serve as the basis for proficiency evaluation. Students must complete this course on campus.

Credits: 1.0

Prerequisites:

NRS 712, NRS 716, NRS 720

NRS 712

ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT

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This foundational course provides the theoretical and clinical assessment skills essential for advanced nursing practice. Comprehensive history taking and holistic assessment necessary to differentiate normal from abnormal findings and potential diagnosis will be emphasized. Case study analysis and application in the clinical setting provides the basis for interpretation of diagnostic findings for individuals and families in the ambulatory and acute care setting.

Credits: 3 credits/60 contact hours

NRS 738

THEORY FOUNDATION

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The development and meaning of theories relevant to nursing practice will be examined. Theory development, evaluation, and application will be analyzed in relationship to the advancement of nursing practice through scientific and clinical inquiry, which leads to evidence-based practice.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 742

NURSING RESEARCH

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This course provides an in-depth study of the design and conduct of health care research with emphasis on identifying researchable clinical, educational, and health care delivery problems. Analysis and interpretation of data from qualitative and quantitative research designs will be emphasized. Students will begin to investigate and develop their capstone question and complete a systematic literature review to support the capstone project.

Credits: 3.0

Prerequisites:

SSC 730

NRS 746

ROLE DEVELOPMENT OF APRN

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This course examines the theoretical principles that guide practice of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN). Emphasis will be placed on the roles of the APRN which include clinician, clinical leader, and educator.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 750

HEALTH CARE FINANCE

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This course provides the basics of economic theory, market drivers and restraints, health care finance and reimbursement, cost/benefit analysis and health care entrepreneurism. The financial environment of health care and how it impacts the advanced nurse practice role is examined. The relationship between health care economics, health policy, program development, and clinical practice is explored.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 754

HEALTH CARE POLICY

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This course provides a foundation for analyzing the social and political forces that influence health care policy decisions. The relationship between health policy, social justice, and nursing practice will be explored. Students will examine current health care policy and factors which influence policy development. The DNP's contribution to the health care policy making process will be investigated.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 758

HEALTH SYSTEMS, INFORMATICS & LEADERSHIP

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This course provides an overview of contemporary nursing and health care systems and organizations. Within this overview the research, health policy, regulation, and law are examined from the perspective of how these factors shape health care organizations. Available technology tools to interpret and organize health data is investigated in relation to health system productivity. This course synthesizes leadership and system theory into understanding the health care industry and program development to become a leader in patient centered care and positive health outcomes.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 780

SPECIAL TOPICS

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This clinical based course provides the opportunity to explore selected clinical problems related to advanced practice nursing in depth. This course is an independent study with elements of a clinical practicum that is developed in consultation with instructor. Topics will vary depending upon the interests of students and faculty.

Credits: 1.0 - 10.0

NRS 802

ADULT NURSING THEORY I

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This course provides the theoretical foundation for clinical role development and skills required in care delivery for primary care of adults with common acute and chronic health problems. Interviewing skills and a methodical comprehensive approach needed to formulate differential diagnoses are emphasized. This course encourages the development and implementation of an evidence-based client management plan based on advanced health and health promotion competencies. This course will promote a holistic approach incorporating health assessment, clinical and diagnostic reasoning, and pathophysiological and phamacotherapeutic principles.

Credits: 3.0

Prerequisites:

NRS 706, NRS 712, NRS 716, NRS 720, NRS 746

NRS 806

PRACTICUM I

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This course provides clinical experience in providing care for individuals across the life span with common acute and chronic health problems in an ambulatory care setting. Attention will be given to clinical role development and skills required in care delivery for primary care of individuals across the life span. Interviewing skills and a methodical comprehensive approach needed to formulate differential diagnoses are emphasized. Clinical expectations include the development and implementation of an evidence-based client management plan that addresses the client holistically with an emphasis on health promotion.

Credits: 3 credits/180 clinical hours

Prerequisites:

NRS 706, NRS 712, NRS 716, NRS 720, NRS 746, NRS 802

NRS 812

ADULT NURSING THEORY II

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This course provides the theoretical foundation for clinical role development and skills required in care delivery for primary care of adults with a focus on the older adult with common acute and chronic health problems. Biological and developmental aging theory will serve as the basis for understanding the unique care needs of this population. Primary, secondary, and tertiary health promotion interventions will be explored in relation to individual needs and values.

Credits: 3.0

Prerequisites:

NRS 802, NRS 806

NRS 816

PRACTICUM II

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This course provides the foundation for clinical role development and skills required in care delivery for primary care of adults, particularly older adults with common acute and chronic health problems. Emphasis will be placed on addressing long-term alterations in functional health patterns as well as management of acute health status changes. This course allows for development and implementation of a holistic approach to care for the well older adult through end of life care. Health assessment, clinical and diagnostic reasoning, and pathophysiological and phamacotherapeutic principles will be incorporated to provide evidence-based care to this population.

Credits: 3 credits/180 clinical hours

Prerequisites:

NRS 806, NRS 822

NRS 822

WOMEN AND CHILDREN NURSING THEORY

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This course provides the theoretical foundation for clinical role development and skills required in care delivery for primary care of infants, children, adolescents, and child-bearing women with common acute and chronic health problems. Application of theories and advanced nursing strategies in health promotion will be emphasized. This course provides the foundation for providing primary health care for the identified population and their families.

Credits: 3.0

Prerequisites:

NRS 802

NRS 826

PRACTICUM III

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This course provides the foundation for clinical role development and skills required in care delivery for primary care individuals across the lifespan with common acute and chronic health problems. Clinical application of knowledge necessary to provide care for this population will include the advanced practice nurse role in health promotion, disease prevention, and management of stable health problems. Health assessment, clinical and diagnostic reasoning, and pathophysiological and phamacotherapeutic principles will be incorporated to provide evidence-based care to this population.

Credits: 3 credits/180 clinical hours

Prerequisites:

NRS 812, NRS 816, NRS 822

NRS 832

POPULATION BASED HEALTH CARE

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This course provides theoretical foundation for clinical role development and skills required identify care needs at a population level and strategies to improve population outcomes. The course focus is on translational research and the application of evidence-based concepts essential to delivery of population based health care practice. Analysis of the impact of social, cultural, ecological, and systems across various populations will be emphasized throughout the course. A portion of this course requires on-campus completion.

Credits: 3.0

Prerequisites:

NRS 802, NRS 812, NRS 822

NRS 836

PRACTICUM IV

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This course provides clinical experience in providing care for individuals across the lifespan with common and acute chronic health problems in the ambulatory care setting. Attention to comprehensive and holistic assessment, clinical management, therapeutic monitoring, and coordination of health promotion and healthcare is anticipated.

Credits: 3 credits/180 clinical hours

Prerequisites:

NRS 826

NRS 840

RESIDENCY

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This course is an advanced nursing practicum that provides an opportunity for the student to integrate and synthesize knowledge and skills acquired in doctoral course work. In consultation with their DNP faculty advisor, students will select an area of clinical practice relevant to career aspirations. This residency provides the culmination experience for developing clinical knowledge and skills that demonstrate essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice.

This is the first of a four-course series that provides an opportunity for the DNP student to participate in the completion of a scholarly project proposal. The project will focus on a practice problem within a specific population and contribute to the advancement of nursing practice. Students examine the elements of a proposal and identify a practice problem of interest.

Credits: 1.0

Prerequisites:

NRS 730, NRS 734, NRS 742

NRS 882

CAPSTONE II

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This is the second of a four-course series that provides an opportunity for the DNP student to participate in the completion of a scholarly project proposal. In collaboration with a faculty mentor, the student will examine the essentials of scientific writing through completion of a capstone project proposal and program implementation planning.

Credits: 3 credits/60 clinical hours

Prerequisites:

NRS 880

NRS 886

CAPSTONE III

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This is the third of a four-course series that provides an opportunity for the DNP student to participate in the completion of a scholarly project proposal. In collaboration with a faculty mentor, the student will refine and implement the capstone proposal.

Credits: 3 credits/60 clinical hours

Prerequisites:

NRS 882

NRS 890

CAPSTONE IV

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This is the last of a four-course series that provides an opportunity for the DNP student to participate in the completion of a scholarly project proposal. This course will focus on translation and dissemination of capstone project findings.

Credits: 1.0

Prerequisites:

NRS 886

NRS 894

CLINICAL INQUIRY FOR THE DNP

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This course facilitates a student's synthesis, integration and translation of knowledge and skills within the context of healthcare delivery and population based healthcare. Within a collaborative environment and under the direction of a faculty advisor, the student will plan, implement, evaluate and disseminate a capstone project.

Credits: 9 credits/ 540 clinical hours

Prerequisites:

NRS 880

SCI 716

ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

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This foundational course provides the theoretical knowledge necessary for advanced nursing practice. The biology of disease processes in terms of physiological dysfunction is examined to serve as the basis for clinical decision making. Emphasis will be placed on diagnostic findings in relation to initiation of therapy and intended outcomes.

Credits: 3.0

SCI 720

ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY

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This foundational course provides an in-depth analysis of clinical pharmacology. The effect of pharmacotherapies on body systems with emphasis on drug action and interaction is examined. Nursing implications and protocols necessary for decision making in prescribing medications will be considered. The ethical, legal, and economic implications surrounding the APRN's role in prescribing and monitoring pharmacotherapies will be studied.

Credits: 3.0

SSC 730

BIOSTATISTICS

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This course is designed to prepare the graduate student to understand and apply bio-statistical methods needed in the design and analysis of biomedical and public health investigations. The major topics to be covered include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, sampling distributions, inferences (point estimates and confidence intervals), hypotheses testing (one-sample tests, two-sample tests), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), as well as simple linear regression and multiple regression analysis. The course emphasizes the application of statistical concepts to analyze research for best available evidence to support quality nursing practice. The course also provides students with hands-on experience in using statistical software (SPSS) to assist in making effective decisions.

Credits: 3.0

SSC 734

EPIDEMIOLOGY

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This course engages students in a comprehensive study of the concepts of epidemiology in relation to nursing practice, public health, and health policy. Concepts of health, risk, disease causality, and strategies to reduce the incidence and prevalence of health problems will be examined.

Credits: 3.0

Prerequisites:

SSC 730

DNP Elective Courses (Two are required)

NRS 686

RURAL NURSING

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This course analyzes the major concepts of public health and health determinants in rural communities. Theories and models of rural nursing will be examined to provide a broad understanding of the characteristics of health care in rural settings. Concepts explored throughout the course enhance the competence of nurse leaders and educators to address the challenges and develop the opportunities of nursing in a rural setting.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 690

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAM PLANNING

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This course is designed to assist the advanced practice nurse in developing, implementing, and evaluating health programs at the individual level and the population or community level. Using public health theory as a basis, content will focus on targeting diverse populations, determinants of health problems and strategies to address these health problems.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 694

TEACHING, LEARNING & INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

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This course provides the foundation in educational principles for the advanced practice nurse. Learning theories and best practices provide the basis for analyzing the concept of learning in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains. Teaching strategies to facilitate student learning in the classroom, clinical, practice and online environment are examined. Legal, ethical and professional faculty responsibilities in higher education are explored.

Credits: 3.0

NRS 698

CURRICULUM PLANNING & EVALUATION

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This course focuses on curriculum planning, design, implementation and evaluation. The concept of curriculum will be explored at the individual course level and at the program level. Best practices in education will be incorporated into curriculum design. The influence of regulatory and accrediting bodies on the curriculum will be examined.